Wednesday, 2 January 2013

Severn Valley Country Park, near Bridgnorth in Shropshire....01/01/2013

How lovely it was to see the sun shining on the first day of 2013!

A ride over to Severn Valley Country Park was taken late morning, a place I had not visited before today.
There is a pond and wetland area in easy walking distance from the visitor centre, so this was the chosen area before lunch! A lone Mute Swan plus a few Mallards and Moorhen were on the small pond area, further along the path is a viewing screen over looking a well stocked feeder. Blue, Great and Coal Tits were the main species on the feeders and a Nuthatch paid an occasional visit!

Mistle Thrush, Raven, Chaffinch, Robin, Blackbird and Goldfinch were seen on the short walk to the bird hide that overlooks the wetland area. Birds species seen from the hide were Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Moorhen, Buzzard, Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Magpie. A Nuthatch frequented a feeding cage for the nuts and sunflower hearts someone had placed on top of the empty cage feeder. It was lovely having such good views of such a special bird! A family entered the hide and a young girl with them sat next to me, I told her about the Nuthatch and asked if she had ever seen one, she hadn't. I said if we were quiet and patient the Nuthatch may appear again, we did not have to wait long! It was good to see that she was pleased to have seen her first Nuthatch! Hopefully it will inspire her into taking up birdwatching or at the very least be aware of what may be seen in the great outdoors!
A walk was later taken down to the River Severn which was as expected running high and fast. A male Goosander flew low down stream and later 3 male Goosanders were seen flying up stream, I think I have my ups and downs right.lol! Whatever, it was lovely to see the Goosanders!

It was good to have visited somewhere different at the start of a brand new year and in dry, sunny weather!

Thanks Ruth for your kind comments.The days are slowly getting longer now so hopefully a little/lot more sunshine will come our way soon! We certainly need some brightness after the gloomy last few weeks!

I don't think children are ever too young to learn about our birds/wildlife! I know one young man who will enjoy the hide and watching the birds at the Country Park, with a little bike riding at times thrown in of course!